Chapter 1964: Proving Strength

"Will we be able to see your Kong family's Grand Elder then?"

Ye Liuyun asked Kong Chenglin.

"I'm not sure about that either! But this deal was definitely taken by the Grand Elder!"

Kong Chenglin said.

"Fine, I'll take this mission."

"As for the conditions of taking the mission, you handle the negotiations! Once they're confirmed, come to Death City to pick me up."

Ye Liuyun instructed Kong Chenglin to negotiate the conditions.

Kong Chenglin, familiar with the price, confirmed the conditions for him and then rushed to Death City to pick him up.

Ye Liuyun was also gathering people on his side.

Besides himself, he also brought Lei Ming, Long Nv, and Man Shu, and with his clone, that made five Fifth Layer Martial Cultivators.

For the Fourth Layer, he only brought Feng Wanru and nine Monster Beasts, and also chose ten soldiers from the Sharp Blade Squad.

During their absence, He Lian Xiu and Ye Tiandao led the main army and the Sharp Blade Squad.

At the same time, twenty thousand Death Legion soldiers were dispatched in batches to Death City.

The Vermilion Bird and Barbarian Ox were left for Wu Qingcheng, He Lian Xiu and others for defense, while the higher-level Demon Beasts were carried by the clone for contingency.

After Kong Chenglin arrived, he immediately led them to rush to Yellow Dragon Ridge.

Since this time only Ye Liuyun's mercenary team was to carry out the mission, there was no need to wait for others to gather; they could go straight there.

When Ye Liuyun and his group arrived at the rendezvous point, they found that the real employer behind the mission had sent some Sect disciples.

They were all wearing identical uniforms, nine in total: seven men and two women. One wore Elder attire and was at the mid‑stage of the Sixth Layer, while the others were at Fourth or Fifth Layers.

The Kong family's Grand Elder respectfully accompanied one of the young men.

On the other side, more than ten Fifth Layer Martial Cultivators stood, plus one at the early stage of the Sixth Layer.

In addition, a few disciples dressed in Kong family attire stood aside waiting.

Kong Chenglin hurried to the Grand Elder and reported, "Grand Elder, the mercenary team has arrived."

Hmm.

The Kong family's Grand Elder gave a brief assent and, together with the young man, looked toward Ye Liuyun and his group.

"They're dressed quite neatly, but I have no idea about their strength!"

Among those Martial Cultivators, someone spoke up.

"Just a bunch of mercenaries, what strength could they have!"

The early‑stage Sixth Layer Martial Cultivator said disdainfully.

"Indeed! The highest‑level ones include three women! Are they unable to gather enough people?"

"Hahaha!"

These Martial Cultivators collectively mocked Ye Liuyun and his group.

"Holy Son, it's just an exploration of a Secret Realm; we alone are enough! Look at these mercenaries, each dressed like clowns. We'll have to protect them later—why bother!"

The early‑stage Sixth Layer Martial Cultivator said to the young man.

Ye Liuyun remained silent, merely pondering in secret how to control the Kong family's Grand Elder.

However, these people had all restrained their aura.

The blood‑killing aura on them was indeed abundant.

But the Martial Cultivators opposite were not weak either; clearly they were also seasoned fighters.

The young gentleman also asked the Grand Elder, "How strong are these mercenaries?"

The Grand Elder transmitted his voice, "Sword Young Master, they are merely cannon fodder."

As for strength, of course they are inferior to disciples of your great sects.

The young man nodded and stopped paying attention to Ye Liuyun and the others.

But the early‑stage Sixth Layer Martial Cultivator, upon seeing the young man's disdainful expression, immediately realized that these people were also being disregarded.

He intended to kill one or two and seize their armor for himself.

He saw that the armor on Ye Liuyun and the others was of very high grade.

The other Martial Cultivators also noticed this, so they provoked, hoping to anger Ye Liuyun and the others into action.

"Little brother, why not slaughter these trash first?"

Lei Ming angrily transmitted his voice to Ye Liuyun.

"There are plenty of opportunities.

My target is the Grand Elder, not these trash."

"Don't ruin my plan!"

Ye Liuyun transmitted his voice back to her.

At this moment, the Kong family's Grand Elder, Kong Xiang, also stepped out and introduced himself to them.

He also feared those Martial Cultivators would cause too much trouble, so Ye Liuyun and his group turned and left.

"The target you are to protect this time is the Holy Son Sword Young Master of the Profound Heaven Sect and several of his fellow disciples."

These individuals are all renowned Eastern Martial Cultivator elites.

The highest‑level among them is the famed Gui Jianchou, Senior Zong Yuan Zong...

Kong Xiang hadn't finished when he was interrupted by the man surnamed Zong.

"Stop the introduction! How could those who scrape a living on the border battlefields know our reputation? Saying it is a waste of time."

"We have no interest in knowing who they are!"

"I only want to know whether they have the strength and qualification to stay with us."

Tong Yuan's attitude was extremely arrogant, not even giving Grand Elder any face.

He was brought in by the Sword Young Master, and didn't take money from Grand Elder, so naturally he wouldn't care about him.

"This…"

Grand Elder also looked at the Sword Young Master with some difficulty.

The Sword Young Master smiled and said, "Since Senior Tong wants to test these Mercenaries' reach, then it's fine to try.

I also want to broaden my horizons and see how strong they are!"

He also felt somewhat resentful of Tong Yuan's approach.

However, after all, Tong Yuan's strength here is the strongest.

Sacrificing a few Mercenaries, making him happy, is no problem.

And as the employer, wanting to understand these Mercenaries' strength is also understandable.

"Leader Ye, you see, the employer wants to see your strength…" Kong Jiaxiang had to compromise, preparing to let Ye Liuyun and others demonstrate, not wanting them to clash with those Martial Cultivators, fearing someone might die here and affect subsequent missions.

Unexpectedly, Ye Liuyun calmly said, "Proving strength is possible.

But we only kill, we don't perform!"

"Ha ha!"

As soon as Ye Liuyun finished speaking, the Martial Cultivators opposite began to mock.

Among them, a fifth‑rank Martial Cultivator taunted, "If you have the skill

you come and kill me, everything on my body will be yours!"

"Not bad! If you have the skill, go ahead and kill us all!"

Tong Yuan also led the chant.

"You… sigh! Whatever you want!"

Kong Jiaxiang, seeing Ye Liuyun courting death, decided to just ignore it.

Ye Liuyun immediately used the Slave Seal to inquire about the price Kong Chenglin paid to hire these Martial Cultivators, then said to Kong Jiaxiang, "You haven't paid us the money for killing! These Martial Cultivators are relatively strong, each costs one million middle‑grade Divine Crystals! If you can afford the price, we will strike."

"Ha ha, the kid really dares to ask!"

Promise him! Are you still afraid we'll lose?

Tong Yuan also said to Grand Elder.

Kong Jiaxiang thought for a moment and said, "This is what you yourself requested.

If any of you die, I will no longer pay the cost for the dead! Do you agree?"

"No problem!"

Ye Liuyun confirmed.

"Then fine, we have a deal!"

Kong Jiaxiang also said decisively.